Nate Diaz medically suspended until 4/20
Can’t Make This Stuff Up: Nate Diaz Suspended Until 4/20
Some things are just a major coincidence and some are not. In the case of UFC 196 headliner Nate Diaz being medically suspended from competition until April 20, 2016, well that’s just a major coincidence.
Diaz, who defeated Conor McGregor in the main event at UFC 196 on Saturday, received a 45 day medical suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission. 45 days ends on April 20, otherwise known as 4/20.
April 20 is embraced by pot smokers around the world as “weed day” each year. 420 started somewhere in San Rafael, California in the late ’70s. It started as the police code for ‘Marijuana Smoking in Progress.’
After local marijuana enthusiasts heard of the police call, they started using the expression 420 when referring to herb — “Let’s Go 420, dude!”
And if you are new to the mixed martial arts world you might not know that Nate and older brother Nick happen to have a special plate in their hearts for the herb.
In 2015, Nick received the longest suspension in the history of mixed martial arts, a five-year suspension and $165,000 fine, for repeatedly violating prohibitions against marijuana. The sentence was later reduced and he can return to action as soon as April this year.
While younger brother Nate’s medical suspension has nothing to do with recreational marijuana use at all it is rather comical.
Full list of UFC 196 medical suspensions:
Nate Diaz: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days for right eye laceration
Ilir Latifi: Needs X-ray on left toe, if broken then suspended 180 days, or until cleared by doctor
Valentina Shevchenko: Suspended until 30 days with no contact for 21 days for left eye laceration
Siyar Bahadurzada: Must have jaw cleared by doctor or suspended 180 days; minimum suspension for 21 days with no contact for 14 days
Brandon Thatch: Needs X-ray on left foot, if broken then suspended 180 days, or until cleared by doctor; minimum suspension 45 days with no contact for 30 days
Nordine Taleb: Needs X-ray or MRI of left knee and must be cleared by doctor, or suspended 180 days
Erick Silva: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days
Marcelo Guimaraes: Needs X-ray or MRI of left knee and must be cleared by doctor, or suspended 180 days; minimum suspension 45 days with no contact for 30 days
Chas Skelly: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days
Justin Salas: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days for right eye laceration
Julian Erosa: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days
